Since his hire in April, men's basketball head coach Joe Dooley has quickly jumped to work. He started summer practices with players in June, and says that although it's too early to tell what his team looks like, "we're making some progress."

Dooley, who was ECU's head coach from 1995 to 1999, returns after coaching Florida Gulf Coast to five conference titles and five consecutive 20-win seasons. His career has also taken him to the South Carolina (1988-1991), New Mexico (1999-2002), Wyoming (2002-2003), and 10 seasons with Bill Self at Kansas. 
He has a reputation of being a hard worker and a skilled recruiter. And he's happy to be back in Greenville. Here are five questions with Coach Dooley:

1. What are your priorities going into next season?
We need to establish a climate where there is accountability. I think we've got to do a better job in the classroom. That starts with guys being responsible for what they're supposed to do, being on time, fulfilling obligations. That's a big thing, because it also affects the basketball component. On the court, we need to be a little tougher. Toughness is doing what you're supposed to do. The biggest thing is asking them to get outside their comfort zone. That's something throughout the summer and fall we're going to have to improve on.

2. With all the talent this region historically produces, what is your message to recruits on staying home at ECU? How do you plan on keeping them here?
We've got to change the perception, and we're working on that. We've got good facilities, we've got a good alumni base. But there's a lot of factors that go into recruiting that you have to consider.

3. What's your outlook on current players?
We've got a lot of work to do. The rising sophomore class can be a foundation, and we have two upperclassmen, so we're figuring out where to get leadership. The big thing is building confidence. You build it through preparation and work. When you do those things, they hopefully translate into success.

4. What have been some formative moments for you as a coach?
I think I've learned from everywhere I've been. I learned a lot about work ethic my first year at [South Carolina]. I was 22 and surrounded by guys that were pros. Just sitting and observing, you were able to see what a pro was. George Felton was our head coach and he's now with the Spurs. Tubby Smith and [future ECU head coach] Eddie Payne were assistants. Those guys all knew what they were doing. It was eye opening. Fran Fraschilla at New Mexico was an organizational guy. Steve McClain at Wyoming was a great field guy. And working for 10 years with Coach Self at Kansas— I sat next to someone at the highest level who sustained an unbelievable amount of success. Every one of those guys has helped me.

5. Coming from a school like Kansas with such a passionate fan base and home court advantage, how do you feel ECU could stand to create a similar atmosphere?
We've got to put a product on the court that our fans are proud of. I look at Florida Gulf Coast and they have more season ticket holders than we do and far fewer students and alumni. We're prouder than that. We've got to create some interest in our program and get our fans in here. We know that Minges, when it's crowded, is a great atmosphere. We're in a great league and we've got to help ourselves— and our fans have to help us, too.